Evergreen Healthcare is getting national attention for treating heart attacks. The hospital was ranked among the top 17 hospitals in the nation by the federal Hospital Compare website.

"There’s a lot in the news about evaluating healthcare performance and quality, but this is about more than performance, it’s about results," cardiologist Dr. Bill Getchell said. "This is really an institutional victory that requires the entire continuum of care to be excellent- from the Healthline nurses who receive a call from a patient with chest pain all the way to cardiac rehabilitation. This is not just improving the process of care, this is improving survival and really highlights the whole spectrum of what Evergreen offers to patients."

Evergreen Healthcare made the honor roll for treating heart attacks with death rates below the national average. More than 4,000 hospitals nationwide submitted data for comparison. Just 17 were ranked above the national average in the treatment of heart attacks.

"One of the most fundamental promises we’ve made to our community is to provide the very highest quality healthcare possible in the area, and this national ranking is firm confirmation that we’re doing it right in this area," CEO Steve Brown said. "Simply put, we’re providing the very best treatment for patients with heart attacks on the west coast, and that is something we’re very proud of!"

The rankings were done using an externally validated method that has been reviewed and is accepted at an academic level. The American College of Cardiologists and the American Heart Association have both endorsed the data.

 "For years our approach to treatment has been exemplary - it is wonderful to be recognized for this care," cardiologist Dr. Robert Haynes said. "We’re making the right choices when it comes to patient care."